Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-08-25
SOUTHERN GRASSES.
Interesting Information Found Ii the
Report of Dr.. George Vasey OF the
Agricultural Department.
Bermuda Grass the Most Valuable of All
Southern Grasses-rhe History OF Al
falfe-Description of the Pricixly
Pear.
Correspondence of the Gazette.

plants fer cultivation in the south and
southwest contains some very valuable
information to agriculturists and farmers.
In this report Dr.. Vasey says
The grazing interests OF the country are
OF the highest Importance, and informa-
ton respecting new grasses which are
adapted to cultivation in special localities
is very much desired.
Ry its much 'milder climate, and the
greatly heightened season OF vegetable
activity, it would seem that grazing in
teTests would be much more extended IN
the south than in the north, but such is
not the case. This fact is attributable to
several causes, among which is the gen
eral comDlaint Of the want Of reliable
grasses and forage plants adapted to the
climate. Sufficient Importance has not
been given to the growing season OF diff
[erent kinds of grasses. Some kinds
grow and thrive best at low tempeCa
ture, and others require the fervid heat
OF summer to start them into activity.
No grass cen be obtained which will
grow vigorously throughout the entire
year Hence in the south the stock
grower must provide series of pastures,
some for winter and some for summer
use. The great want has been reliable
and productive winter grass.
The BEST and most productive grasses
for the arid plains and table lands OF
Texas, New Mexico and ArlZona are yet
to be sscertained through q series Of
Well conducted experiments, which
should be undertaken by the government.
From the reports here presented it
would seem that there should be little
difficulty in the southern states and in
Texas, in making selection OF grasses
that would give a constant succession for
pastures throughout the year. In Florida
the problem is perhaps not yet well
solved, but even there continued inVesti-
cations and experiments will doubtless
be successful. To that state and to the
Immediate Gulf coast must probably be
restricted some of the more tropical
grasses and forage plants, as the Guinea
grass, para grass, beggar-tick, Mexican
clover and Teosinte.
OF the hairy-f Owered psspalum Mr..
Charles n. Ely of Smith Point, south
eastern Texas, says: Paspalum dill TIA
tum was brought 10 this country about
twelve years ago and planted by S. B.
Wallis. 1t is 9 promising grass for hay
and pasture, growing best on moist
lands, but doing well on upland. 1t is
easily subdued by cultivation and is not
inclined to encrosCh on cultivated lands.
1t is best propagated by roots or sets,
the seed not being reliable. 1t is rather
slow in starting, but when well-rooted ii
spreads and overcOmes all other grasses.
Tramping and grazing is more of an ad-
vantage to it than otherwise. l think
that this grass will succeed in great
variety of soils and climates, but those
rN1o with if a
first.
Concerning Louisiana grass which
grows luxuriantly in all the Gulf states
and in the West Indies and South
America, Mr.. William f. Gill OF Kerr
vile, Kerr county, Tex, writes as fol
lows | have recently noticed gras:
making its appearance that as near as
can identify is this Paspslum platycaule
[ first noticed 1t in the valley of LeoI
Springs, in Bexar county. These springs
furnish stock with water during drouths
for an area Of twelve or fifteen miles.
feel cerIain that for two or three month.
of each year not less tnsn 1000 or SOC
stock water there, besides which it is {
favorlte incoming place for freighters
And vet in this little valley, hardly halt ,
mile wide, and about one and halfmile!
long, adjacent to the spring this grass
has gone on thickeniDg and growing IN
til now the valley is the best solder
piece Of land l know Of, and undoubted.
~ the worst tramped. The habit o.
growth Of this grass is very like the Der.
muda, but it has not quite such long
runners. The culms and seed spikes Cal
badly be distinguished from those O.
Bermuda. l have recently noticed some
small patches in the Guadalupe ant
Medina valleys, and it would, think
with attention, prove as valuable IN thi
dry country as the Bermuda does else
where.
Charles n. Ely, Smith Point, Southeast
ern Texas: l regard Paspalun
platycaule as the most valuable grain:
grass in this part of the state. With tht
sslt-msrsh grasses Of the low lands OF
the coast it furnishes the best pa6tur
in this part of Texas. II has been spread
Ing here for the last thirty years, and i
gu opposed to have come originally from
some part OF Louisiana, henc
grass. 1t will stand more tramp
ing and grazing than any othe
grass in this part of the state, and on oil
uplsnds it forms solid and perpetua
pasture. AS drouth-resistlng grass i
has no equal here, and on dry sandy O
loamy soil its limits of usefulness vii
only be determined by its ability to stan
severe cold. It does not make hay @
commercial value, but it is cut by tn
farmers and used as rough food durn
severe westher. AS q general thing
think it is cut too ripe. If cut when frs
coming into bloom, | think the quality c
the hay would be much improved, and tn
sward sooner recover itself, and the neV
growth be of more value for pasture tina
if left uncut. Like Paspalum dilatatul
this is slow in starting, but after it gain
strength it spreads over the surface, mul
tiplying by suckers, and by the seed whic
is scattered by the wind. 1t spreads yer
fast, but Is easily DESTROYED Wien Ia
land Is desired for cultivation.
DR.. Vasey thus reviews the Texss mi
let: This grass is native of Texas, sn
was first described and named in 1865 b
Professor S. B. Buckley, in his prelimir
ary report OF the geographical and agri
cultural survey Of Texas. 1t is f.equen,
ly called Colorado grass, from it's abund
ance along the Colorado river in tbs
state. In some localities it is known g
river grass; in others as goose grass
from its being supposed to have been in
troduced by wild geese. In souther